The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-03-12
0'OoNNELL's OLD HOME.

1t is scarcely necessary to add any
thing to the subjoined letter, which has
recently been made public. Derrynane
Abbey, the old home of O'Connell. is
OH the verge Of being sold for debt. We
do not think that the Irish people will
permit the spoliation of the place. It
would seem like sacrilege to allow the
"Liberator's'' house to fall into the
hands of the English. The letter is
from the grandson of O'Connell, and is
addressed to Father Martin, of Bran
ford:
DERRYNANE ABBEY, WATERvILLE,
Killarney, Irelan !, Jan. 2, 1887.
MY DEAR FATHER MARTIN,-Pos-
sibly you will be surprised at receiving
a letter from me, but the truth is l am
in terrible position and venture to APP
peal to you to aid me if you can.
My rents are not being paid, and
have not been for more than two years.
AS a consequence, the charges, head
rents, jointure, interests. ETC., have
fallen into arrear, and the property is
in the landed estates court, managed by
a receiver. Of course I am getting
nothing out of it. So far 1 have been
allowed to keep this house and demesne,
but may be put under rent for them
any day, which, as / could not pay rent
and live here, would mean my being
thrown on the world. Even if 1 can
keep the place, rent free, I do not see
how 1 can live. All / can count of for
certain is some $50 or !e35 a year, be-
sides the place. 1t has been suggested
to me that if an appeal were made to
the Irish people in America to save the
:'Liberator's'' grandson from utter ruin
and Delrynane from passing to strang-
ers, I might succeed. 1 don't know
whom to apply to, to start such thing
but YOU. Do you think it would be of
any use, and if so, can you get some
leading newspaper to take it up?
1t is not my fault that l am in this
position. I never was extravagant,
have since was married, twenty five
years last spring, lived here and done
all I could for my tenants and poor
neighbors.
Indeed, had I been harder on my
tenants 1 might be better off than I am,
to say nothing of having saddled my
self with an annual payment of over $50
a year to give them employment in 80
and 81. If / were a bachelor l would
not trouble anyone, I could, 1 am sure,
find some employment that would sup
port me, but my wife and my children
are what have to think of, and I as
sure you I am at times almost mad
when 1 try to forecast their future. My
wants, too, are not large. If we could
be sure of even e2OO or $500 a year we
could live with tolerable comfort here,
at least we could procure the absolute
necessaries of life, and in time if things
mend in Ireland, and annuitants on my
property die, might be better Off. 1
write to you instead of to Father de
Bruycker, as l think, being yourself an
Irishman you might be be ter able to do
what ask. am sure. however, if he
can aid you he will.
Mrs. O'Connell and my daughter join
me in kind regards and in wishing you
many happy New Years. I may add
that only for. the kindness of friends
who have helped from time to time I
could not have supported my family for
the last year. Believe me, dear Father
Martin, Yours very sincerely. D.
O'CoNNELL, Derrynane.
In Ireland relief committee has
been formed and has issued a strong ap-
peal to the people for the preservation
Of the abbey and the assistance OF
| 'Connell's grandson.